There are ‘some significant risks’ in the way that Devon and Cornwall Police tackle domestic abuse according to a national report published today by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
There were 9,212 domestic abuse related crimes reported in Devon and Cornwall in the 12 months leading up to August 2013 accounting for 11% of all recorded crime in the force area. Despite the high number of cases, the report highlights weaknesses and inconsistencies in Devon and Cornwall’s response to domestic violence finding that while there were “pockets of good work” they had not...
The government has announced plans to give police powers to disclose certain details of people’s criminal pasts to forces across England and Wales next year.
The Home Office led scheme gives people the ‘right to ask’ police if their partner has ever had convictions for domestic abuse and allow police to disclose details of a criminal in certain circumstances.
All requests must go through a panel of Police, Probation services and other agencies to ensure that the information is only passed on where appropriate.
The scheme also offers support to victims to help during...
Two local professional firms joined forces to organise two seminars which raised monies for ‘Stop Abuse For Everyone’ (SAFE). Haines Watts Forensic, a national chartered accountancy firm and professional chartered financial planners and wealth advisers Towry, held the joint seminars in central Exeter. The events, aimed at family law barristers and solicitors, focused on financial volatility during the divorce process and offered solutions to the impact on clients’ financial settlements.
The two events helped to raise money for Exeter-based SAFE with donations from delegates...
When five women from The Esther Community in Exeter first began writing about their personal battles with drug and alcohol addiction, domestic violence, self-harming and homelessness little did they know that it would end in a publishing deal and an opportunity to share their stories to help others around the world.
Eighteen months ago, the five women were embarking on a 10-week literacy course, funded by Devon Adult & Community Learning, unaware of their talents as writers and leading chaotic lives. Now, on Monday 16th September, they will be attending the Book Launch of their...
Exeter women now have the perfect chance to get a new wardrobe without spending a fortune. For £5, you can turn up at Exeter Phoenix on 14 June from 5.30pm, and for every item you bring, you can exchange it for something new. Plus if you run out of clothes to swap, you can take home any other item in return for a donation to SAFE - the only charity in the area that specialises in the support and protection of women, men, children and young people affected by domestic violence.
About SAFE
In the last 10 years the Refuge in Exeter has offered safe accommodation to 916 women...
“Alcohol is no excuse” is the theme of Domestic Abuse Awareness Week in Devon and Cornwall which runs from Monday 19th – Sunday 25th November 2012.
This year’s domestic abuse awareness week will coincide with alcohol awareness week for the first time and will focus on how alcohol can be a contributory factor in cases of domestic abuse, as well as highlighting the support available in Devon and Cornwall.
Research carried out by Devon and Cornwall Police in 2010 found that 56% of domestic abuse offences involved alcohol and/or drugs. During 2011-12 police...
